Jimmy Dawkins was born in Tchula, Mississippi, and moved to Chicago in 1955. He worked in a box factory, and started to play local blues clubs, gaining a reputation as a session musician.
In 1969, thanks to the efforts of his friend Magic Sam, he released his first solo album Fast Fingers on Delmark Records, winning the "Grand Prix du Disque" from the Hot Club de France. In 1971 Delmark released his second album All For Business with singer Andrew "Big Voice" Odom and guitarist Otis Rush.
He began to tour in Europe and Japan, and recorded more albums in the USA and Europe. Dawkins also contributed a column to the blues magazine "Living Blues" which he co-founded. In the 1980's he released few recordings, and began his own label, Leric Records, and was more interested in promoting other artists, including Taildragger, Queen Sylvia Embry, Little Johnny Christian and Nora Jean Wallace.
In 1991 he began to tour and record more regularly. In 1995 he received three nominations for the W.C. Handy Award in the categories "Best Blues Instrumentalist - guitar", "Contemporary Blues Album of the Year" (1994's Blues And Pain), and "Blues Song of the Year" ("Fool in Heah"). The re-release of Fast Fingers received a W.C. Handy Award nomination as "Best Reissue Blues Album of the Year" in 1999.
I Wonder Why
Jimmy Dawkins Lyrics
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I wonder why you're so mean to me.
I'll be kind to you woman, what more can I do.
I wonder why you treat me the way you do.
Oh, I give you all my money and loving, what more can I do.
O, I give you my picture baby, put it in a frame.
When I'm dead and gone, you can see me just the same.
I wonder why, you're so mean to me.
I wonder why, you're so mean to me.
I wonder why, you're so mean to me.
Oh, I'll be kind to you baby, kind as a man can be.
Jimmy Dawkins's song I Wonder Why is all about puzzling over a lover's cruelty towards the singer. He wonders why his significant other treats him so harshly despite all the love, affection, and money he has given to her. Despite putting in all the effort he possibly could to make her happy, her responses towards him remained cold and indifferent. The singer feels that he doesn't deserve such harsh treatment and is simply puzzled over his lover's cruel behaviour.
The song conveys a sense of emotional pain, confusion, and hopelessness. It's a heartfelt ballad that explores the complexities of human relationships and how love can sometimes be unrequited. The singer's pain and confusion are palpable, and the lyrics are a reflection of the emotional turmoil that he is experiencing. Ultimately the song suggests that some people are impossible to please, no matter how much love and affection you shower upon them.
Line by Line Meaning
wonder why you're so mean to me.
I am curious about why you treat me poorly.
I wonder why you're so mean to me.
I am continuously perplexed as to why you are unkind to me.
I'll be kind to you woman, what more can I do.
I will be gentle and considerate towards you, I am unsure of what else I can do to please you.
I wonder why you treat me the way you do.
I am confused and uncertain as to why you treat me in such a negative manner.
Oh, I give you all my money and loving, what more can I do.
I offer you all of my financial and emotional resources, yet it seems insufficient to earn your kindness.
O, I give you my picture baby, put it in a frame.
I give you a physical representation of my love for you, in hopes that it will please you.
When I'm dead and gone, you can see me just the same.
Even after my death, my love will live on through the image of me that you have.
I wonder why, you're so mean to me.
Once again, I express my confusion over the reasons for your unkind behavior towards me.
I'll be kind to you baby, kind as a man can be.
Despite your sour treatment of me, I will continue to show you kindness to the greatest extent possible.
I wonder why, you're so mean to me.
I still do not understand the cause of your harsh treatment of me.
I wonder why, you're so mean to me.
My confusion and uncertainty surrounding the reasons for your unkindness persist.
Oh, I'll be kind to you baby, kind as a man can be.
I will continue to be amiable and compassionate towards you, despite your treatment of me.
Lyrics © BARBARA SCHWARTZ MUSIC
Written by: Ricardo Weeks, Melvin Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind